Where Steam Meets Silicon

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We chose this image to kick things off because it so perfectly sums up what steampunk is all about.

While there are many different styles and flavors of steampunk, from the works of Jules Verne and H.G. Wells to BioShock and Final Fantasy, the essential elements are nearly universal: brass, gears, and steam.

With so many great images of steampunk mods on Pinterest, we had to narrow down the field to just computer mods. Enthusiasts have modded everything from R2-D2 to entire homes. Today, we have the best of the computer mods, from all-in-ones to USB sticks, and everything in-between.

SteamPunk Frankenstein

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This liquid-cooled steampunk PC is a classic favorite. Built in 2009 by Dana Mattocks, the epic case mod/scupture casts an eerie green glow that lights up the room. Standing taller than a human being and housing more steampunkery than any standard desktop tower could contain, SteamPunk Frankenstein is more than a case mod; it's a work of art.

Telecalculograph

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This 2007 case mod is one of the first by esteemed steampunk modder Jake Hildebrandt (also known as Jake of All Trades). Rivets, gauges, gears, copper tubes, and brass fittings are attached to a pretty basic black box. A lighted "coal furnace" on the front panel is one of the Telecalculograph's signature elements.

Telecalculograph, Mk. II

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This follow-up steampunk mod was built in 2009 by Jake of All Trades, and the innards were provided by high-end boutique system builder Falcon Northwest. The Telecalculograph, Mk. II was built to coincide with the release of the highly-forgettable Damnation video game for PC and Xbox 360.

Romantic Mac Mini

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This stylish Victorian steampunk mod was built in 2008 by Dave Veloz as a wedding gift to his new bride. Apple's Mac Mini is enclosed in a black tin that reads: The Apple Company, Cupertino, Calif. U.S.A., No. 10 Gearless Calculating Machine. The brass-rimmed monitor has a granite stand, the keyboard features typewriter keys, and the cables are twisted like telephone cords.

Victorian All-In-One

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This ornate all-in-one PC is brought to us by Jake von Slatt, proprietor of The Steampunk Workshop. Done in the highly-Victorian interpretation of steampunk, Jake's ambitious project uses a 24” widescreen monitor that had to be cut to fit inside the enclosure. A video of this anxiety-filled process is available over at The Steampunk Workshop. (Ed.: Continuing to exhibit impeccable taste, von Slatt finished the build with a fresh installation of Kubuntu.)

The Archbishop

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This is the first in a series of steampunk mods by Datamancer. The Archbishop is a gorgeous all-in-one PC mod in the shape of an arched cathedral, compete with stained glass. Two glass doors open on the front of the case to reveal the monitor, while the AMD-powered internals are hidden below in the stand. With brass side pieces and red mahogany face/back plates, the accompanying keyboard matches the cathedral theme perfectly. Meanwhile, a hollowed-out old book hides the mouse from view.

Old Time Computer

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A professional modder who goes by woodguy32 runs Old Time Computer, where he makes and sells an array of steampunk/Victorian computer mods. Shown here is an assortment of monitors, keyboards, and mouse mods.

Elegant Neo-Victorian Point-Of-Sale System

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This unique point-of-sale (POS) system by Datamancer is complete with a credit card strip, a pen holder, and a bar code scanner. A touch screen is trimmed in wood and mounted on adjustable brass beams on a wooden stand. The Elegant Neo-Victorian Point-of-Sale System resides at The Last Bookstore in downtown Los Angeles.

Wozniak's Conundrum

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Built by Steve La Riccia, Wozniak's Conundrum combines a 1897 Standard Model 7 Remington typewriter with an early nineties Apple Macintosh. This case mod is on display at The Mac Store in Eugene, Oregon. A video of the final build is up on YouTube.

Another work-in-progress from Datamancer, The Nagy Magical-Movable-Type Pixello-Dynamotronic Computational Engine (say that three times, fast) is really a mock-up, not a finished mod. The wooden monitor cabinet, Underwood typewriter keyboard, and vertical optical bay behind glass make this steampunk workstation a favorite image on Pinterest.

Victorian Organ Command Desk

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The Victorian Organ Command Desk resides in the steampunk-themed home of Bruce and Melanie Rosenbaum. Their dream rig has three widescreen monitors, where the center screen is landscaped and flanked on both sides by identical portrait screens. The requisite typewriter-style keyboard and steampunk contraption of a mouse are present, as is a matching USB stick. Speakers are hidden inside phonograph-style horns on either side of the organ. There is even a webcam mounted above the center screen inside of an old accordion-style film camera. The printer is built-in too, only its paper trays are visible.

Steampunk Time Machine Antique Master Bathroom Computer Workstation

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Bruce Rosenbaum, the owner of the steampunk house, co-designed this piece with Walter Parker. It's a complete computer workstation (and bathroom), complete with toilet/chair and "shower cage." This piece was featured in a steampunk exhibit at the Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation in Massachusetts.

Datamancer's Steampunk Laptop

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This "mechanical book" by Datamancer is truly one of the most incredible steampunk mods ever. What was once an HP ZT1000 has been transformed into an ornate tabletop notebook PC, complete with rich wood enclosure, brass details, and leather wrist pads. The keyboard keys are brass with engraved letters, and the outside lid is a window displaying an absolutely dizzying amount of bright interlocking gears. Datamancer's one-of-a-kind mobile steampunk masterpiece dual-boots Ubuntu alongside Windows XP.

eCog Mercury

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The eCog Mercury is a cover for the Sony VAIO F-series laptop built by John William Dunn just six months ago. The outside of the lid is made of wood adorned with three strips of brass, each with pipes and gauges. On the inside, the cover adds brass-rimmed, glow-in-the-dark keys to the keyboard.

Brass And Marble LCD, And Brass Keyboard

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This 22-inch widescreen LCD monitor is shrouded in brass with marble in the stand and base. The monitor is paired with Jake von Slatt's variant of Datamancer's Soujourner keyboard. The keyboard has nice orange dome lights for lock keys and comes with the requisite steampunk typewriter keys.

Steampunk Keyboard Mod

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In 2009, steampunk modder Jake von Slatt set out to create a retro typewriter-style keyboard mod. He started with an IBM keyboard from the 80s and the results gave rise to the next dozen or so entries in our list. The drilled side pieces and triangular stand are instantly recognizable. Clothing buttons are used as key tops, while black felt is used on the face.

The Antidiluvian Keyboard

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The Antidiluvian Keyboard is brought to us by The Tentacle Paradox. This keyboard mod began with the very same IBM model used in Jake von Slatt's original steampunk keyboard mod. Even the original IBM keys were ground down to accept buttons for typewriter keys. Ebony-stained wood makes up the sides and face, while brass is the main material for the ornamentation. Wooden horns are added to the rear of each side, and the lock lights are crystal domes lit by red LEDs.

The Sojourner

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The Sojourner is a favorite keyboard mod from Datamancer. The keys have highly stylized font on parchment, set against a well worn leather face. The Sojourner is featured on the SyFy channel original series Warehouse 13.

Datamancer's hit Sojourner keyboard mod is also available in an antiqued finish, shown in the bottom two images. This model adds patina to the brass, while the space bar, F, and J keys are intentionally cracked, adding to the antique look (and to help touch typists find the home position).

The Aviator

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The Aviator by Datamancer is a classic variation on Jake von Slatt's original Steampunk keyboard. Instead of bronze, the Aviator comes in either brushed (pictured) or polished aluminum and features a black leather face. The Aviator shares the common sides of the original steampunk keyboard. Its keys are typewriter-style, and it features a braided cord. The lock keys are jeweled domes that can be ordered in seven different colors.

The Baron Of Cyprus

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This one-of-a-kind keyboard mod by Datamancer looks like a copper version of the Sojourner, with a padded black leather face and amber crystal dome lights. The keys are also copper with large clear letters.

The Alchemist

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Another brass keyboard mod from Datamancer, The Alchemist features light-up stained glass sides and a braided cord. Many of the keys feature alchemical symbols instead of their usual numbers and letters, set against a dark wood face. The key font is a Gothic style.

The Reliquary

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Datamancer's The Reliquary keyboard mod is housed inside a wooden box appointed with brass and topped with a stained glass lid. The front of the box folds down to become a padded wrist pad, while the stained glass lid is removed to reveal an aged leather-faced keyboard with Gothic font on parchment keys.

Datamancer also made a modified version of the Reliquary for one of his customers that featured numerous working gears on the lid as opposed to stained glass. A video of the gear mod is available on his website.

Datamancer Deco

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The Datamancer Deco is the first Art Deco style keyboard from Datamancer, a precursor to the Streamline. The stylized font on the typewriter-style keys fits perfectly with the stepped Deco sides and silver frame. The Datamancer Deco comes in black or white flavors, each with matching-colored face and keys.

The Streamline

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The Streamline is another Art Deco keyboard from Datamancer.? This mod is similar to the Datamancer Deco, just more Deco. Like fellow steampunk modder Jake von Slatt, Datamancer also seems to be a Linux fan. Notice the Tux logo on the Windows key. Nice touch!

The New Yorker

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The Chrysler building in New York City, as well as the Chrysler New Yorker automobile, served as the inspiration for Datamancer's third Art Deco keyboard. Both the ornamentation and font used for the keyboard keys fit perfectly with the BioShock vein of steampunk. The use of both silver and gold tones makes The New Yorker the pinnacle of Art Deco keyboard mods.

The Marquis

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The Marquis is another Datamancer creation of brass and leather. This mod has ornate leaf engravings on the sides and a very stylized key font. An alternate silver version of the Marquis features a polished aluminum chassis and new black leather face as well as blue lock lights. Another version with a dark wood face also exists (bottom-right).

Datamancer Ergo

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This ergonomic keyboard mod from Datamancer features the split-key design popular in the late 90s. A plush fabric wrist pad borders the entire bottom end of the keyboard, and the shiny brass side pieces have leaf etchings (like on the Marquis). The key font is stylized but soft, and the lock lights are made of violet crystal domes. A buttonless trackpad is even added where the keyboard splits.

The Emperor

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The Emperor is a Chinese keyboard mod by Datamnacer. One of the polished brass sides has an engraving of a dragon, while the other holds a phoenix. The Cangjie keys and red faceplate come together to give this mod the look of Chinese royalty.

The Industrial

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The Industrial is possibly Datamancer's most steampunk of all his keyboard mods. The keys on this mod are made from hex nuts and the stand is comprised of three interlocking gears. The entire surface is weathered metal, and even the braided cord is “dirty."

Rhombus Maximus

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This steampunk mouse mod was built by Alex Neretin. The base is made of walnut, the scroll wheel is a brass gear, and the mouse buttons have the letters L and R stylistically embossed in copper. The USB dongle also receives the steampunk treatment, with miniature brass pipes, gears, and a copper shell.

The Bug

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The Bug is the mouse mod for the original Telecalculograph by Jake of All Trades. This mod is largely made of brass, with the usual gear for a scroll wheel. In fact, the whole base of the mouse is made from two large brass gears.

The Bug, Mk. III

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Jake of All Trades created this follow-up to The Bug. While the front of the Bug, Mk. III shares many of the same features as the original, such as the mouse buttons on brass arms and a gear for a scroll wheel, they are more refined on this model. The right side has a winding key that turns as the mouse moves. Whereas The Bug had a metal knob for a palm rest, The Bug, Mk. III has a glowing "furnace."

Paradox Mouse

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Dubbed the Paradox Mouse, this ultra-creepy contraption comes to us from The Tentacle Paradox. Featuring a real mouse skull and spinal column, alchemy symbols on the buttons, and two embedded Luger bullets, this is just as much a horror mod as it is steampunk. Making up the steampunk half are the usual elements: typewriter keys, gears, wood, and brass. Hidden LEDs even light up the mouse skull in the dark.

Steampunk Computer Mouse

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The Steampunk Computer Mouse was made by a Russian modder named Filimon. Wood-brown provides a base for all the brass-colored ornamentation. Large brass buttons, a braided cord, and a modded USB connector are highlights of the Steampunk Computer Mouse.

Furnace Mouse

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The Furnace Mouse is a unique steampunk mouse from modder Unklian. The base of the Furnace Mouse is made of wood, while the buttons and cage are made from copper. Glass fragments and black silicone form the "coal," which is lit by orange LEDs.

Furnace Mouse 2

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The Furnace Mouse 2 is exactly as its name implies, a doubled-up
version of the original. Like the first Furnace Mouse, this mod also
uses crushed glass, black silicone, and orange LEDs to create the
glowing coals. But this time there are two coal chambers, with the mouse
keys and scroll wheel between them.

USB Thumb Drives

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There are so many steampunk-themed USB thumb drives on Pinterest that it's absolutely unreal. The best way to show them all without this becoming Tom's Hardware's Top 40 Steampunk USB Key Mods From Pinterest is to put them all on one pinboard and take a screenshot.

If you're already on Pinterest, visit our page to peruse larger images of these USB keys and other computer mods that didn't quite make the cut. If you're still not on Pinterest, send us a valid email address in a private message to Tom's Hardware forum user “pinterest” and we'll work on getting you an invite. We've got a ton of other geeky imagery on our Pinterest page, from photos of high-end hardware to stunning artwork from comics, Star Wars, video games, and beyond.